PFT’s pre-free agency mock draft

Mock drafts are for the most part useless. They’re even more useless before free agency, when needs are filled and created by the movement of veterans players.

With that caveat, and acknowledging that some of you will call this the “worst . . . mock . . . ever” regardless of who’s listed on it, here’s a completely meaningless projection, crafted with the input of an actual scout. Who is employed. By a team. In the NFL.

In recent years, the Jaguars have drafted defensive linemen like the Lions used to select receivers. Clowney’s potential can’t be overlooked, and coach Gus Bradley surely believes he can push the right buttons to get the most out of him.

Owner Jimmy Haslam’s effort to land Jim Harbaugh shows a willingness to swing for the fences. Manziel is the potential home run in this year’s draft class. If the Browns strike out, well, they’re used to that.

Facing the potential departures of Justin Tuck and Linval Joseph, the Giants need to restore some bite to a defensive line that didn’t necessarily carry them to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, but helped deliver victory once they got there.

Coach Bruce Arians is trying too hard to create the impression he won’t be drafting a quarterback, possibly in order to make anyone drafting below him who needs a quarterback believe he won’t be drafting a quarterback.

Philly may prefer Clinton-Dix, which could spark a game of leapfrog. Without trades, Pryor gets the pick and helps fill a clear area of need.

23. Chiefs: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State.

The Chiefs don’t have many glaring weaknesses. Cornerback is one of them. In a division with Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, that’s a problem.

24. Bengals: Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State.

Shazier ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash with a bad hamstring. Adding him would require some shuffling of the linebackers, since Shazier is suited to the weak side. Given his talents and Vontaze Burfict’s versatility, that’s a good problem to have.

25. Chargers: Trai Turner, G, LSU.

Philip Rivers, the 2013 comeback player of the year, came back from if anything a subpar offensive line. Turner could make it even less subpar.

26. Browns (from Colts): Dri Archer, running back, Kent State.

The Browns keep swinging for the fences with a guy who could become the next Chris Johnson. (Before he went from being great to pretty good.)

27. Saints: Odell Beckham, receiver, LSU.

The stable of weapons gets replenished, partially. Jimmy Graham still needs an explanation.

Trent Baalke may be tempted to take a receiver in order to wash away the lingering residue of the A.J. Jenkins selection. The bigger need is at cornerback, although it would be better if a bigger cornerback were available at this spot.

With Clinton McDonald likely leaving via free agency, the Seahawks add depth and get younger in the interior defensive line. Hageman’s pass rush skills will help replace Michael Bennett, who would slide inside from time to time on passing downs.

I like seeing mocks that go out on a limb and differ from the groupthink that forms this time of year. That being said, I’m not sure Houston takes passes a franchise QB or the best player in the draft for a first-year RT

Again, this is what you would do instead of predicting what the teams will do by looking at draft history, crazy owners, etc. Those GM jobs are hard to come by for a reason. This ain’t fantasy football.

Aaron Donald reminds me of the guy the jets picked a few years back. Robertson I think that was his name. Supposed to be super explosive great pass rusher but a little short at 6 foot 1 he had a bit more weight than Donald at 310. I just see bust from Donald so I’m praying that the bucs take him so Dallas doesn’t

stoogy says:Mar 10, 2014 11:28 AM

Was fun to read though thank you Florio! I know you dreaded this article!

This is garbage. Dri Archer? You guys just pulling names out of a hat?

southpaw2k says:Mar 10, 2014 11:34 AM

If the Ravens manage to keep Monroe, what I’d like to see happen is the following:

1. Sign Eric Winston to play right tackle. He knows Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme from their days in Houston together. He’d fit perfectly in with the system, and the Ravens have both ends of their o-line covered for 2014.

2. Use their first-round pick on whichever wide receiver is highest on the board at that point. If both Evans and Lee are gone, then whoever is the best player available.

If Monroe doesn’t re-sign, then I would love to have them take Lewan. I just would be really surprised to see him still available at #17.

Not that this mock is bad, but free agency screws the mocks until it is over. You have Lewan to the Ravens at 17 but that is overkill to replace Oher since it appears Monroe is staying. Clinton-Dix would help secure another position of great need or even Kelvin Benjamin whose speed and size is hard to ignore. Others believe Beckham or Lee would be a better pick, but knowing what the Ravens lost in Boldin, Benjamin can do that and more. Any way you look at it, The draft is deep enough that Ozzie will score in the first round and with as many attempts to get this right, one of these mocks has to be right.

I agree with the niners taking a CB in the first. They just wont stand pat at 30. I see them trying to jump in around pick 20 to get who they want. They need to hit this draft hard because the window is closing and if gore falls off, it might be closed.

It’s funny that most teams pick the best player on the board regardless of positon. But each year fans seem to get amnesia and forget that. That’s partially why Robinson is mocked No. 1. He’s a way better prospect now than Bortles and slightly better than Bridgewater.

As soon as I saw the Houston pick, I knew the rest was going to be pretty bad. But what the heck, I like seeing them anyway. The true mock draft is not a mock draft at ll, but rather the real draft. BTW, Elmer Fudd is going to be the 1st overall pick. Just so you know.

This mock draft is great…..for me to poop on!! Seriously whoever wrote this must either be retarded or 12..or both. Dri Archer, widely seen as a mid to late round pick..the 1st RB taken??? I mean this is just horrendous. Oh and that “scout” should be fired…immediately! !!!

kev86 says:Mar 10, 2014 12:03 PM

I stopped at 1. Robinson is raw tackle with two years experience in a simple run offense. He hasnt proved he can be a force in pass protection due to the system he was in. So at #1 overall Houston would pass on Clowney and a QB? No way!!

greenwhodat26 says:Mar 10, 2014 12:08 PM

ODB wont be there at #27, however it would be an epic mistake for the Saints to pass on him if he’s there.

I’m an lsu fan and no way does turner go in the first. No chance. He may go undrafted. Most likely 5th round

tooz72 says:Mar 10, 2014 1:48 PM

most accurate mock draft in the history of mock drafts

vikinganswer says:Mar 10, 2014 1:55 PM

RELAX PEOPLE!!! I know Saints fans want Watkins at 27 or whatever. But the only team that gets their guy is Houston. Robinson is way better choice than any of these QBs. None of them with the extreme possible exception of Bortles is worth a first round grade. Not sure if he is worth a top 10 though.

Thanks for the mock. I enjoy reading them, even though there is a large amount of uncertainty at this point. I also enjoy reading people’s armchair criticism of mock drafts- it’s a fun exercise, it’s nothing to get worked up over.

I have this feeling, that this particular scout works for the Jets. Its the only way he can rationally think Buffalo, Dallas, Pittsburgh and the Ravens pass on Ebron if he’s there. Regardless of their TE situation. Hes a plug and play w/ results guy right out of the gate. I personally hope the Ravens grab him. Kubiak will have a field days with Pitta, Ebron as the TE’s

razzlejag says:Mar 10, 2014 3:26 PM

If HaHa Clinton-Dix married Jadeveon Clowney, would he then be HaHa Clowney?

Every year I declare myself eligible and every year they pass me over. Well not this year! This year I’m in shape, focused and ready to start my NFL career. My wonderlic score was 237. Yeah thats right, 237! I took it 10 times, thats my total, and my story, and I’m sticking to it. Ignore me at your peril, NFL.

Thanks for the mock guys. It will be interesting to see 2.0 after free agency in about two or three weeks. And thanks for putting explanations about why you think a pick will be made. It’s funny to read these comments and see that all the fans are still locked into need when so many teams say that they will try to pick the best player on their board regardless of need.

Spielman is not going to draft another QB in the first round because if that guys a bust he’s done if you take a guy in the second or third and he’s a bust not as big of a deal. Vikings will be drafting D unless Watkins falls which is highly doubtful. My guess is they trade down.

If there is no Andrew Luck type QB in this draft Houston should go with one of the O-linemen or Watkins or Clowney/Mack. Don’t waste the pick on a QB because you have a need at the position. If you miss on that QB it sets your whole team back.

Fins take a guard, makes sense to me. With Pouncey and possibly Albert seems like a good start.

ruggerlad says:Mar 15, 2014 7:30 AM

Dallas Thomas will be the LG in Miami, Smith will be RG and we will more likely look at RT in the draft unless Thomas plays at RT. I really like Sua Filo but he is a reach and with a deep OT class we r in position to draft best player available in round 1 while adding Kouandjio, Moses or Mewhort in the 2nd or even Henderson later. Not huge drop offs from Martin who is often mocked to Miami to these higher upside OTs. Trade down to where he is closer to BPA and I am good with Sua Filo who can pass block and pull in the run game.